- Job Misses: We Are the Most Stressed
There are people who are proud to push themselves to or even beyond their limits to complete everything as perfectly as possible. They face immense pressure. However, they don't suffer as much from job conditions, the sheer amount of work, or clashes with the boss, but rather from their own high expectations - the KKH Health Insurance refers to this as the "perfectionism trap".
According to a new Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance company, 43% of working professionals often feel significantly under pressure - every seventh person even very frequently, as KKH in Hannover reported. Another 43% feel stressed at work occasionally. The reasons for this are clear: approximately two-thirds (65%) of respondents feel pressured by their own expectations to do their work as well as possible. At the same time, the number of sick days due to stress-related mental health issues is increasing nationwide among KKH policyholders.
Perfectionism and time pressure are the biggest stress drivers
For the study, the opinion research institute Forsa surveyed 1,001 working professionals aged 18 to 70 nationwide on behalf of KKH from July 1 to 8. KKH, with around 1.6 million insured members, is one of the largest health insurance companies nationwide.
The survey found that the biggest stress factors are personal perfectionism and time pressure in daily work (62%), which is significantly higher than the expectations of others (40%). About a third of working professionals feel stressed by too many overtime hours (36%) or high performance demands (32%). Difficulties in balancing work and private life (27%) or low income (23%) affect about a quarter of respondents. A bad team atmosphere and mobbing (21%) or control by superiors also cause stress.
More sick days due to stress-related mental health problems
"Our survey shows that stress is perceived very individually and strongly influenced by one's own attitude," said KKH's occupational psychologist, Antje Judick. While this is initially good news because it can be addressed, she emphasized that stress is often seen as a status symbol in a performance-oriented society, and perfectionism as a sign of competence. Also, constant availability, for example via smartphone, and blurred boundaries between work and private life have become "self-evident": Always being available and delivering perfection is seen as the ultimate success.
According to the survey, nearly every fourth working professional (28%) has had to take time off due to pressure and stress at work. Nationwide data on work absenteeism among KKH policyholders shows that the number of sick days due to stress-related mental health problems is increasing - including acute stress reactions and adjustment disorders: In the first half of 2024, there were 109 sick days per 100 annually insured KKH customers - compared to 105 in the previous year. In 2019, there were only 75 sick days per 100 employed people.
In a five-year comparison, the health insurance provider recorded an increase in depressive episodes from 89 to 102 days per 100 insured individuals. Burnout, typically diagnosed at the onset of a stress-related illness or as part of further mental health issues, was at 11 days per 100 employed individuals last year, and 10 days in the first half of 2024, compared to 8 days in 2019. Burnout is a gradual process, initially making individuals feel strong, but without subsequent relaxation phases after stressful moments, leading to signs of overwhelm and exhaustion. Without intervention, it can start a downward spiral.
Fear of war and crises is another significant stress factor for the majority of the German population, according to a Swiss Life Insurance survey conducted by YouGov in March. These fears surpass personal concerns such as financial worries or health issues. The increase in natural disasters in recent years also causes concern for a significant portion of the population, further contributing to stress.
Working women struggle more with stress, according to a Forsa survey commissioned by KKH. 20% of women surveyed felt very stressed frequently, compared to 11% of men. Psychologist Judick explained that the expectation to excel in both motherhood and career roles puts immense pressure on many women.
Psychiatric illness-related absences have significantly increased since 2017, reaching an all-time high last year, according to the health insurance provider. While the initial evaluation in 2017 showed 298 sick days per 100 full-year insured employees, this number has since risen to 388 days.
The 'Day of failure' for many high-performing individuals might be marked by not meeting their own high expectations, further emphasizing the "perfectionism trap" discussed by KKH Health Insurance. Due to the increasing number of sick days due to stress-related mental health issues among KKH policyholders, managing this pressure and avoiding a 'Day of failure' has become a crucial aspect of maintaining mental well-being.
